Nested cannula starter alignment

Abstract

A medical system includes a tube ( 102 ) configured to pass internally into a body and an index ( 108 ) disposed on the tube and configured to be visible internally within the tube. An outermost nested cannula ( 110 ) component is affixed within the tube with a geometric relationship with the tube as indicated by the index. An imaging device ( 106 ) is configured to image an anatomic reference relative to the index such that alignment of the outermost nested cannula component is provided by aligning the at least one index with the anatomic reference.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A medical system, comprising:
 a tube configured to pass internally into a body; 
 at least one index disposed on the tube and configured to be visible internally within the tube; 
 a nested cannula having a plurality of nested cannula components, said nested cannula including an outermost nested cannula component affixed within the tube with a geometric relationship with the tube as indicated by the at least one index; and 
 an imaging device configured to image an anatomic reference relative to the at least one index such that alignment of the outermost nested cannula component is provided by aligning the at least one index with the anatomic reference. 
 
     
     
       2. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one index includes diametrically opposed marks on the tube. 
     
     
       3. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the imaging device includes an endoscope. 
     
     
       4. The system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the endoscope is located within the outermost cannula component. 
     
     
       5. The system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the endoscope is located within the tube outside the outermost cannula component. 
     
     
       6. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tube includes an endo-tracheal tube and the anatomic reference includes a carina. 
     
     
       7. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tube includes a gravity aligned component to orient the tube and provide a reference during a procedure. 
     
     
       8. The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the gravity aligned component includes one or more of a gravity bead, a bubble and/or different density liquids. 
     
     
       9. A medical system, comprising:
 an initial alignment system including:
 a tube configured to pass internally into a body; 
 at least one index disposed on the tube and configured to be visible internally within the tube; 
 a nested cannula having a plurality of nested cannula components, said nested cannula including an outermost nested cannula component affixed within the tube with a geometric relationship with the tube as indicated by the at least one index; and 
 an imaging device configured to image an anatomic reference relative to the at least one index; and 
 
 a display device configured to display the at least one index together with the anatomic reference to permit alignment of the outermost nested cannula component to control an initial deployment position of a nested cannula. 
 
     
     
       10. The system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the at least one index includes diametrically opposed marks on the tube. 
     
     
       11. The system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the imaging device includes an endoscope. 
     
     
       12. The system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the endoscope is located within the outermost cannula component. 
     
     
       13. The system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the endoscope is located within the tube outside the outermost cannula component. 
     
     
       14. The system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the tube includes an endo-tracheal tube and the anatomic reference includes a carina. 
     
     
       15. The system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the tube includes a gravity aligned component to orient the tube and provide a reference during a procedure.